Guilty pleas entered resulting from charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Humber Valley Paving Ltd. of Corner Book and employee Donald Ross Sceviour have entered guilty pleas for charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which stemmed from a June, 2000 workplace accident. Both parties appeared before Judge Wayne Gorman in Deer Lake, July 12, 2001.

Humber Valley Paving Ltd. entered a guilty plea for failing to regularly inspect machinery (Section 5 (1) of the Regulations). They were fined $2,000. The second charge, for failure to maintain mobile equipment in a safe operating condition, was withdrawn.

Mr. Sceviour, a heavy equipment operator, plead guilty to a charge under Section 113 (5) of the Regulations, for failing to report defects and conditions affecting the safe operation of equipment to his supervisor. He was fined $500. A second charge for failing to maintain full control of the equipment, was withdrawn.

"The result of this matter should send a clear message that all parties at a workplace are responsible for health and safety," said Labour Minister Anna Thistle. "Employers should ensure that all equipment is maintained in a safe operating condition, and employees must take responsibility for reporting defects in equipment or any unsafe condition to their supervisors, to ensure immediate corrective action is taken."

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications (709) 729-1741.

2001 07 31                2:05 p.m.